6 Beauty Habits That Are Bad for Your Health

Nail biting, midnight carb binges, ex-boyfriends… bad habits are hard to break, we know. But what if we told you some of your bad beauty habits could actually be wreaking havoc on your health? That’s a whole other story, and we figured everyone should know the truth. Curious? Keep scrolling to see six beauty habits that are just plain bad for you. Now if only there was similar proof for exes…

You know your nervous habit of picking at your cuticles? It’s doing more than just ravaging your nail bed. Your cuticles protect the base of your nail from infection, so picking them can actually increase your risk of getting one—yikes. Think about this way: Just like a cut anywhere else on your body can get infected, so can a cut on your nail bed or finger. Try to keep your idle picking to a minimum, and wash your hands as frequently as possible.

This one hurts: The UV lamp that dries your gel manicure actually has a very, very small chance of giving you skin cancer. We all know that UV radiation and UV radiation-emitting devices (like tanning beds) are carcinogenic to humans, and the UV lamp for gel manis is no different. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, studies have shown that skin cancer risk associated with UVR-emitting nail lamps for gel manicures is very low, but not insignificant. So now you know.

According to a recently released study by the British College of Optometrists, the “repeated use of eyelash extensions can cause traction alopecia, a condition where the hair falls out due to excessive tensions place on the hair shaft.” Scary. Our advice? Take a break every few months and let your bare lashes breathe; one of these lash conditioners will help repair any damage.

If you reach for your tweezers at the first sign of an ingrown hair, it’s time for a wake-up call. Digging around for it can lead to scarring and possibly even infection. Instead, try one of these DIY treatments—and step away from the tweezers, now.

If you’re prone to going on week-long juice cleanses or suddenly hitting the gym for hours at the time, consider this: Crash diets (or workouts) can actually harm your heart. According to cardiologist Isadore Rosenfeld, detox cleanses like the Master Cleanse and super low-calorie diets can slow your metabolism, lead to future weight gain, weaken your immune system, and increase your risk of dehydration, heart palpitations, and cardiac stress. (You can read more about it here.)

It might be painful to part ways with your favorite (expensive) compact before it’s completely gone, but it’s necessary. Makeup that’s past its prime becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to breakouts, infections, pink eye, and the list goes on. Not sure how long you should keep your products? We have a handy little guide for you.